Along with the note came two books - one, a beautiful collection of the artist's recent work; the other, a wonderful photo collection by Martin Möll celebrating Balet's 85th birthday. The book is copyright 1998, meaning that Jan Balet is now 95.

I'm sure you all join me in hoping he makes a speedy recovery from his time in the hospital, and I look forward to presenting a second week on his career based on our eventual correspondence - hopefully some time early next year!

For me, the Jan Balet posts have been some of the most exciting. I love the storybook style, and the work of Mr. Balet is as good as it gets!

It's nice to look back and see the Christmas theme on some of Balet's other work you've posted, namely the Lee's carpet illustration with a lounging Santa and his concerned reindeer, and the images from "The Year Without a Santa Claus."

I hope that you'll be able to pass on our continued appreciation for Mr. Balet's work, and our sincere wishes for his good health.

Love those Pegasus like deers, they have an uplifting touch to me. Feels like Christmas coming.

The combination of lights and deer or reindeer antlers has always hounted me since I first saw pictures of St.Hubertus' vision of a white deer in the dark woods with that shining cross in between its horns.

The Christmas picture of the boy looking at his locomotive engine,that was me in the 1950's.I never had chidren and I am sorry about missing moments like that depicted by Jan Balet. Well Done friend.Trains were a BIG deal in the 1950's in the U.S.A.

I have known Jan Balet on and off my entire life. Fortunately I have spent a great deal of time with him over the past number of years. He wa amazed that his work was on the internet. Since you know that he hasn't been well I thought you should know that sadly, Jan died on January 31st. The world will be a "grayer" place without him.